Thinking about dropping driver

[ZenGolfer]

So, I run a minimalist setup.  My set is currently driver, 3H, 6i, 8i, pw, sw and putter.  Im thinking about swapping the driver for a 3w.  My thinking is that my driver is kind of a one trick pony in that I can only really hit it off the tee but with a 3w I could hit it off the tee and off the deck and it would probably be more accurate than the driver is.

Thoughts?

[Shankster]

Played a lot without a driver.

If you are going to do it, maybe a 12°-14°, I had mine set to 14.5 and probably out hit my driver 95% of the time with a heck of a lot more accuracy.


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[StrawberryShortCake]

I played 5 or 6 rounds this year without a driver and stuck to my 3 wood. I played very well, sure I lost some distance on long par 5s but made up for it with accuracy. After a few rounds without the driver I went back to the driver just because I love smashing a beautiful drive. 

[zrumble]

1 hour ago, ZenGolfer said:

So, I run a minimalist setup.  My set is currently driver, 3H, 6i, 8i, pw, sw and putter.  Im thinking about swapping the driver for a 3w.  My thinking is that my driver is kind of a one trick pony in that I can only really hit it off the tee but with a 3w I could hit it off the tee and off the deck and it would probably be more accurate than the driver is.

Thoughts?

Like it! With that mindset, no point in carrying a tool for specialization. A well fitting 3 wood, with a shallow face, and a longer shaft might gain the distance you lose dropping driver. 

[ZenGolfer]

Played a lot without a driver.

If you are going to do it, maybe a 12°-14°, I had mine set to 14.5 and probably out hit my driver 95% of the time with a heck of a lot more accuracy.


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I was considering a strong 3w but I wonder if I swing fast enough to hit it off the deck.

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[GolfSpy_SHARK]

Depends. Are you playing one course where that 3W would play off the deck a lot?. Unless you’re really struggling off the tee it’s tough to make that commitment. Also for me the league I played in if that was the only time I played I would probably consider it because I used the driver on 1 hole per 9 (would easily justify putting another wedge or wood in if that was the case)

[zrumble]

1 hour ago, ZenGolfer said:

I was considering a strong 3w but I wonder if I swing fast enough to hit it off the deck.

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No need to make it strong unless you get fit for it! You can lengthen the shaft to give you some extra width to your arc if needed. 1/2” equals about 5 yards for most people. A lot of amateurs don’t lose much either if their driver impact isn’t optimal. 

[ZenGolfer]

On 6/19/2020 at 9:22 PM, Lacassem said:

Depends. Are you playing one course where that 3W would play off the deck a lot?. Unless you’re really struggling off the tee it’s tough to make that commitment. Also for me the league I played in if that was the only time I played I would probably consider it because I used the driver on 1 hole per 9 (would easily justify putting another wedge or wood in if that was the case)

Keep in mind, I play a minimalist setup, so its not so much a matter of dropping the driver because I struggle with it so much as it finding more use out of the 7 clubs that I do carry.

[ZenGolfer]

FWIW, I ended up picking up a Titleist 913FD 13.5* off of Ebay.  I decided to go with a strong 3 and it should be almost as long as my driver off the tee and more accurate and is still something that I can hit off the deck when need be.

Ive been hitting my 5-wood about 210 yards and my 3-hybrid about 200 yards but I only hit my 10.5* driver 230 on average (I can hit it 250 if I really go after one and get a hold of it though); so we'll see how this strong 3 gets on.

[BigDBD]

I thought about this switch alot. I have a TE XCG5 11.5 degree 3 wood (titanium shallow face). I play off the deck woods very well. But I hit the driver well also (ie accurate in the fairway). Driver 240 vs 3 wood off tee 220 => for approx 14 tee shots that's a difference of 14 x 20 yds = 240 yds. The 3 wood off the deck might come into play on 3 holes and my 3 hybrid is 190 so that's a difference of 30 yds x 3 = 90 yds. For my game, it's a no brainer. My only caveat is on long par 3s (i.e. needing a 200-210 with traps short and long) ; hard to choke down on driver and hit it high enough that it drops with little roll. I often hit 3 hybrid short (if the hole allows) and then pitch it on ... play it like a par 4. Just my thoughts ... guess it depends how good one hits driver (ie accuracy) verses difference between driver and 3 wood of tee. Cheers. IMO.

[Billy-Bo-Jim-Bob]

On 6/19/2020 at 6:10 PM, ZenGolfer said:

So, I run a minimalist setup.  My set is currently driver, 3H, 6i, 8i, pw, sw and putter.  Im thinking about swapping the driver for a 3w.  My thinking is that my driver is kind of a one trick pony in that I can only really hit it off the tee but with a 3w I could hit it off the tee and off the deck and it would probably be more accurate than the driver is.

Thoughts?

Given your set makeup, seems very sensible to me....3W add's versatility to the bag. I think a lot also depends on the length you need off the tee. Shorter approaches means more GIR's and better changes for lower scores. I see this w my game. Even when I'm offline w driver, if I have a look at the green being closer has given me more GIR's, than laying back in the fairway w a longer approach shot. If 3W gets me inside 100 yards off the tee I'll do it, otherwise I pull the big stick. I think its all about confidence in what your hitting and personal preference on how you want to approach a given hole.

[PankaGolf]

I often think 280 with the sim ti is all I really need and tbh it probably is. 
 

But then I’ll play with someone who hits Driver well and I’m sucked right back in.